4x4 possible?
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
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From: Escondido, CA
4x4 possible?
Can some tell me what kind of front axle and width, rated load, # of leafs leaf springs are being used? I am wondering what the fessability is to actually swap the front end over. Do the spring perches need to be cut off and new ones installed? I know that sometimes it's easier to just buy a 4x4 and swap bodies but that was mainly geared towards 65-66 F-100's. I have also noticed that Bronco's and mid 70's f-100 had solid front axles while the later F-100 and F-150's had the twin axles. Is the diamentions of the 66 bronco front axle interchangable with the early 60's F-100? Can I use a front axle off of any manufatures 4x4 with or without mods? I want to look at this with both eyes open and it seems what I am building here is starting to take on a 4x4 style. Or it may just be my imagination trying to run rampant. I think doing the swap would be very easy since the front suspension already has a solid axle and leaf springs. And yes this will probably take a large chunk of money to do if I have to customise parts.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
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Since no one here has touched your question I'll give what I know. Is this your 64? What can you live with? Stock front axle of that era was drum brakes, leaf springs, closed knuckles, and a steering arm on the knuckle to attach to your drag link. That could be scrounged. If you poke your head into the 4x4 world like bc4x4.com it quickly becomes apparent that rabid 4x4'ers can make *anything* happen with enough dough thrown at it. They know what can be whacked into what for $$$. That's the forum to start asking these questions in.
Being a lifetime 4x4 owner of a vehicle having drum brakes, closed knuckles, and leaf springs, I would encourage you to come up with an open knuckle disk brake D44 front axle. Since you already have front leaves, it's easy to stick with that config. Coils ride better, but hanging all the brackets adds to the complexity.
Holler for specifics.
Adios,
Brett
59 F100
71 Jeepster
And the ghosts of many 4x4's that have crawled their last trail....
Being a lifetime 4x4 owner of a vehicle having drum brakes, closed knuckles, and leaf springs, I would encourage you to come up with an open knuckle disk brake D44 front axle. Since you already have front leaves, it's easy to stick with that config. Coils ride better, but hanging all the brackets adds to the complexity.
Holler for specifics.
Adios,
Brett
59 F100
71 Jeepster
And the ghosts of many 4x4's that have crawled their last trail....
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I was led to believe that 57-64 had the same frame specs. With this in mind, and the current on going 4x swap in on my 60 f100 I can tell you this. With open knuck conversions you cannot use the stock thru frame steering box that is found on 57-60 and I am assuming 64. You will have to weld in a plate and adapt a f150 style steering box ( say from the mid 80's ) just before the radiator support and run a modified early bronco t type set up. with the leaf springs, depending on if you put more weight in the front (ie winch) you ma need to add a leaf, but essentially they are the same. This will however raise the front end up 5 inches because of a lack of u bend prensent in the single I beam.
If I were to do mine over again, I wouldn't do it.
OR I would find a dana 60 with a closed knuckle and go from there.
Hope this covers there right year for you. If not, ignore this and good luck on the swap.
Mayne
If I were to do mine over again, I wouldn't do it.
OR I would find a dana 60 with a closed knuckle and go from there.
Hope this covers there right year for you. If not, ignore this and good luck on the swap.
Mayne
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
Mayne,
You are right. His rig is functionally the same as yours, just has the front axle pushed ahead 4". I've had wagoneers with a steering box that might also work, even a 70's-80's 4x4 dodge or Chev might work.
Mark, here's another thought. What are you going to do with this truck? Are you going to 4wheel it? If it's just the look you need, and not 4x4 capability, then just go the prerunner route: Lift, big meats, etc. That's the way my '59 2x4 showed up: 33x12.50x15's on 15x8 chrome spokers. (Muey, Muey, M-M-M-Macho!). Come to think of it, it also was from California........hmmmmm...
Adios,
Brett
You are right. His rig is functionally the same as yours, just has the front axle pushed ahead 4". I've had wagoneers with a steering box that might also work, even a 70's-80's 4x4 dodge or Chev might work.
Mark, here's another thought. What are you going to do with this truck? Are you going to 4wheel it? If it's just the look you need, and not 4x4 capability, then just go the prerunner route: Lift, big meats, etc. That's the way my '59 2x4 showed up: 33x12.50x15's on 15x8 chrome spokers. (Muey, Muey, M-M-M-Macho!). Come to think of it, it also was from California........hmmmmm...
Adios,
Brett
Last edited by bhabben; Feb 1, 2004 at 10:54 AM.
